Quote:
Originally Posted by Ped
It's actually interesting, as teams realize players peak in their 20s, they try to anticipate that peak, and get them to lock in younger so they have them cost-controlled for longer.
It's risky, because sometimes, as with a guy like Draisatl, it works out for the team. But development is not linear, and players don't always improve like how you think they would. It's easy to say Andersson will improve next year, for instance, but there's no guarantee that happens.
Look at a guy like Colin White, who has not taken the steps forward after signing his big deal. Or Clayton Keller, or Shayne Gostisbehere.
|
Was just going to say the same thing. It's certainly not a given that Ras will ever play to the level of Jones.
Penciling in bounce-back seasons and progression from players before it actually happens is how the Flames got themselves into the situation they were last season. Losing Brodie was huge. Mony did not have a bounce-back. Dube did not take a huge step into a top-6 guy, etc.